Some historians of jiu jitsu say that the origins of "the
gentle art" can be traced back to India, and was
practiced by Buddhist Monks. Concerned with self-defense,
these monks created techniques based upon principles of
balance and leverage, and a system of manipulating the
body in a manner where one could avoid relying upon strength
or weapons. With the expansion of buddhism, jiu jitsu
spread from southeast Asia to China, finally arriving
in Japan where it developed and gained further popularity.
In
the last days of the 19th century, some jiu jitsu masters
emigrated from Japan to other continents, teaching the
martial arts, as well as competing in fights and competitions.
Esai Maeda Koma, also known as "Conde Koma,"
was one such master. After traveling with a troupe which
fought in various countries in Europe and the Americas,
Koma arrived in Brazil in 1915, and settled in Belem do
Para the next year, where he met a man named Gastao Gracie.
The father of eight children, among them five boys and
three girls, Gastao became a jiu jitsu enthusiast and
brought his oldest son, Carlos, to learn to fight from
the Japanese master.
For a naturally frail fifteen-year old Carlos Gracie,
jiu jitsu became a method not simply for fighting, but
for personal improvement. At nineteen, he moved to Rio
de Janeiro with his family and began teaching and competing
in the martial arts. In his travels, Carlos would teach
classes, and also proved the efficiency of the art by
beating adversaries in competitions who were more physically
strong. In 1925, he returned to Rio and opened the first
school, known as the "Academia Gracie de Jiu Jitsu."
Since then, Carlos started to share his knowledge to his
brothers, adapting and refining the techniques to the
naturally weaker characteristics of his family. Also,
Carlos taught them his philosophies of life as well as
his concepts of natural nutrition. Eventually, Carlos
became a pioneer in creating a special diet for athletes,
"the Gracie diet," which transformed jiu jitsu
into a term synonymous with health.
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Having created an efficient self defense system, Carlos
Gracie saw in the art a way to become a man who was more
tolerant, respectful, and self-confident. With a goal
of proving jiu jitsu's superiority as well as to build
a family tradition, Carlos challenged the greatest fighters
of his time, as well as managing the fighting careers
of his brothers. Fighting opponents fifty or sixty pounds
heavier, the Gracies quickly gained recognition and prestige.
Attracted to the new market which was opened around jiu
jitsu, many Japanese practitioners came to Rio, but none
were able to establish schools as successful as the Gracies.
This was due to the fact that the Japanese stylists were
more focused on takedowns and throws, and the jiu jitsu
the Gracies practiced had more sophisticated groundfighting
and submission techniques. Carlos and his brothers changed
the techniques in such a way that it completely altered
the complexion of the international jiu jitsu principles.
These techniques were so distinctive to Carlos and his
brothers that the sport became attached to a national
identity, and is now commonly known as "Brazilian
Jiu Jitsu," practiced by artists all over the world,
including Japan.
With
the creation of a official body overseeing the administration
of the sport, the rules and the ranking system started
the era of sport jiu jitsu competitions. Today, jiu
jitsu is much more organized, with an International
and National Federation, founded by Carlos Gracie Jr.
Through his work with the Confederation of Brazilian
Jiu Jitsu, Carlos Gracie Jr. contributed to the growth
of the sport by holding some of the first organized
competitions. Currently, the Confederation holds competitions
in Brazil, the United States, Europe, and Asia, realizing
Carlos' original dream to spread jiu jitsu around the
world.
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By Steve "Sakuriba" Kim
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Gracie
Jiu-Jitsu Philosophy:
The application of traditional Gracie Jiu-Jitsu transcends the
practice of chokes, joint locks immobilizations, throws and
strikes. A true Gracie philosophy prepares men, women and children
for life, showing them paths to a healthier life and the most
effective use of physical, mental and spiritual strength. Eating
well is Jiu-Jitsu, taking care of your body is Jiu-Jitsu, saying
no to cigarettes, alcohol and drugs is Jiu-Jitsu, as well as
keeping a close bond with relatives and friends. This philosophy,
which can be called a “way of life”, has been propagated
by Grand Masters Carlos and Helio Gracie for almost a century.
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